Just days ago, this forum reposted a message that had been circulated by the AAUP concerning loopholes in the legal protection of speech on campus due to a controversial Supreme Court ruling in 2006.
Today, in the article “Free speech constraints spark criticism, concern”, the Daily Cardinal has reported that Prof. Donald Downs (Political Science) is taking up that issue with our University Committee. That article, and the background information from the AAUP, is essential reading for anyone who might ever disagree with an administration decision.
The issue of free speech is of course of particular concern to the editors and contributors of this forum, which came into existence precisely to facilitate commentary on all matters of importance to the university community, including Administration policies. In particular, during the Graduate School restructuring controversy over the past several weeks, many of us have been torn between a desire to take an unabashed public stand and genuine uncertainty over how vulnerable we might be if the Administration ever became truly annoyed with us. For non-tenured staff, the concerns were of course even greater.
During that time, those of us who chose to post here anonymously were sometimes criticized for doing so. In light of what we have now learned about the current legal status of free speech on campus, our caution seems vindicated.
Sifting and Winnowing applauds Prof. Down’s initiative and urges the University Committee to support policy revisions that unambiguously protect the right of university faculty and staff to speak openly and, if necessary, critically of administration policies without fear of retribution.
- the Editors